Dancing Astronaut remembers Romanthony, vocalist and house music pioneer

Like harrowing chimes across the industry skyline, the untimely passing of Romanthony has shaken the global dance community. As the New Jersey talent behind “One More Time” and an abundance of musical assets from American house music’s dotted timeline, the 46-year-old Black Male Records proprietor leaves behind an influential reign over the industry he helped foster. In the wake of a tragic battle lost to kidney disease, the undisputed fact remains that on May 5th, 2013, house music lost one of its most integral voices to date.

For the most part, Anthony Moore was one of house music’s better-preserved assets. Despite the universal and commercially viable potential of his talent, Moore’s output remained sparing yet increasingly effective. Between the likes of “Let Me Show You Love”, “Bring U Up” and Kraak & Smaak’s “Let’s Go Back”, the American talent exercised cutting edge interpretations of the genre’s every facet, making him perhaps one of the most universally viable vocalists to bless the four-to-the-floor fundamentals.

Of course, “One More Time” remains the high water mark in the well-ornamented legacy Moore leaves behind him. As Daft Punk’s biggest selling single pre-“Get Lucky”, the track single-handedly inspired chart-aficionados and electro cohorts alike to move in unity to the sound of cutting edge club music. For anyone else, it could have been a ‘one-hit-wonder’, but Moore purveyed the prospect with enough class and dignity to forge his part in 2001’s Discovery as a crucial insight into the potential of his well-oiled toplines.

Be it 1997’s Romanworld, proceeding full-length endeavor Instinctual, or his soulful penchant that fueled so many timeless anthems, there are few assets as accomplished or outstanding that could successfully measure up to the spirit, substance and understated impact of Anthony Moore’s creative legacy.

For an industry that has now found a dominant voice across popular culture, we would do well to remember the man who resonated grounds for integral commercial hope long before his nations club-savvy renaissance.